Agnes Cecelia Waisanen (Sept. 27, 1915 - Sept. 1, 2009)

Agnes Cecelia Waisanen

Sept. 27, 1915 - Sept. 1, 2009

Agnes Cecelia Waisanen, 93, of Astoria, Ore, died Tuesday, September 1, 2009, in Astoria.

She was born Agnes Stramiello in New York City on September 27, 1915, daughter of Innocenzo and Lucrezia Stramiello. She grew up as the middle of seven children and was always active in sports, particularly excelling in the city’s public programs of swimming and diving. After her first marriage she moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for a small newspaper and raised her daughter, Patricia.

She moved to Astoria after her second husband, Tom Webb, was killed in an automobile accident. In Astoria, she met and married John M. Waisanen, her husband for the last 45 years of her life. She and John lived in Crescent City for most of their marriage. There, Agnes ran the aquatic program at the city pool for over 20 years, often saying she taught half the town how to swim.

She and John returned to Astoria in April, moving to Astor House Assisted Living facility. John’s death in July necessitated that Agnes move to Clatsop Care, where she enjoyed many activities and new friends until her death.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Patty and Mike Glasgow, in Columbia, Md; brother, Anthony Stramiello and niece, Rochelle Stramiello, both of Astoria; son and daughter-in-law, John E. and Sheryl Waisanen of Astoria; son and daughter-in-law, Ken Waisanen and his companion, Kathy Curtis of Warrenton; and seven grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lower Columbia Hospice in Astoria, Ore.

Submitted by Carol Layton

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